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Migration Op-Ed Series: The Silence at Kato Tritos: The Human Cost of Global Indifference
[The below represents solely the views of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the institution.]
About this series: The FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University ran an intensive three-week graduate…
Migration Op-Ed Series: We Must Address the Humanitarian Crisis of Inadequate Mental Health Care
Mental health is a fundamental human right, and nowhere is this more urgent than in survivors of forced migration and displacement who experience trauma pre-migration, during migration, and at resettlement.
Migration Op-Ed Series: Flavors Without Borders: The Gastronomic Gift of Migration
Food is a universal language that brings people together across cultures, playing a crucial role in the integration of migrants into new communities.
Migration Op-Ed Series: The glory and disgrace of the Olympic Games – Why refugees and migrants suffer the most
The Olympic Games, born nearly 3,000 years ago in ancient Greece, were a symbol of solidarity and peace. However, the modern Games often come at the expense of marginalized populations, including refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers.
Migration Op-Ed Series: Kamala Harris Must Rethink The Way She Approaches Immigration Policy
In order to build a compelling campaign that wins new votes, it’s time for the Harris team and the Democratic Party at large to re-think its approach to a variety of policy matters – including immigration.
News update: Polio vaccinations continue in Gaza
The second round of polio vaccination in Gaza began on Oct. 14, as a joint project of several United Nations agencies, including the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA),…
Press Release: New study shows Israel air-dropped 2000lb bombs within lethal and damage ranges of hospitals in Gaza
A new study reveals that between October 7 and November 17, 2023, the Israeli military air-dropped nearly 600 highly destructive 2000 lb bombs with the capacity to damage hospital infrastructure and kill or cause severe injury hundreds of meters away.
New Report: Confronting Major and Everyday Discrimination. Romani Experiences in Canada’s Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area
The François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) Center at Harvard University and the Canadian Romani Alliance published a groundbreaking study measuring both major and everyday discrimination experienced by Romani individuals in the Greater Toronto-Hamilton area…
Press Release: New Study of Satellite Data Shows: Israel’s assault on hospitals, schools, and water infrastructure in the Gaza Strip was not “random”
A new study reveals that more than half of healthcare, education, and water facilities were damaged by Israeli attacks between October 7th and November 22nd, 2023, across all five governorates in the Gaza Strip.
Guest Viewpoint: On Gaza: What Does Public Health Call Us to Do in This Moment?
The authors of this article believe public health calls us to observe, understand root causes, and take action amidst the ongoing devastation in Gaza.
Reflections on Black History Month 2024
In 1926, historian Carter G. Woodson established “Negro History Week.” In 1976, President Gerald Ford designated February as “Black History Month.” This year’s theme recognizes the Arts, a recognition of the significant impact of Black arts on US culture.
Press Release: Research report analyzes healthcare standards for children deprived of their liberty in effort to support the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
A team of researchers collaborated on identifying, critiquing, and synthesizing current standards for healthcare for children deprived of their liberty in order to shine a light on one of the most neglected areas in the protection of children.
Press Release: Empirical Study Examines the Impact of State Engagement on Sustaining Local Community Solidarity Towards Distress Migrants
The FXB Center and a team of Polish migration researchers from the University of Warsaw, conducted a preliminary empirical study in Poland aiming to document the factors that generate local solidarity towards Ukrainian refugees.
Press Release: New Report Documents the Mental and Physical Harm Experienced by Children in Immigration Detention
A groundbreaking investigation conducted by the Massachusetts has exposed the alarming impact of prolonged detention on children’s mental and physical well-being.
End-of-year message from FXB Director Dr. Mary Bassett
As we approach the year-end, a time when the importance of peace is celebrated around the world, in too many places there is war: Gaza, Ukraine, Myanmar, Sudan, Yemen, Congo, and more.
The Universal Declaration at 75 – Looking Back and Forward
On December 10th, 2023, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the seminal and aspirational foundation for post World War II human rights principles, will turn 75.
Commemorating the 2023 International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
Sumud, an Arabic word that means steadfastness, captures a collective response to chronic adversity and a people’s will to survive, endure, and remain connected to the land.
Health and Human Rights Journal Announces Amon as Editor-in-Chief
“We are delighted to have Joe Amon as Editor-in-Chief,” said Mary T. Bassett, MD, MPH, director of the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights and FXB Professor of the Practice of Health and Human Rights.
FXB at APHA 2023: Declining US Health: A population health emergency
Stephen Bezruchka, MD, MPH, author of Inequality Kills Us All, has convened a panel of experts, including FXB Director Mary T. Bassett, MD, MPH, to take on this crisis at the upcoming American Public Health Association annual meeting.
FXB Turns 30!
The FXB Center completes 30 years since its founding in 1993. We marked this milestone by acknowledging the breadth of activities in our community and the continued importance of work that shows how violation of rights harms health.
Migrant Children in US Detention Again?
The Biden administration is considering reintroducing one of the most infamous anti-immigrant policies of the Trump administration – the practice of detaining migrant families, including young children, seeking protection in the US even though they are…
Commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
Forty-five years ago, the United Nations General Assembly deemed November 29 as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The chosen date was no accident; it came thirty years to the day after the original plan to partition…
Migration and Refugee Studies: Inaugural Three-week Summer School in Greece
July 2022 offered students from five different Harvard graduate schools interested in migration issues the opportunity to spend three weeks immersed in an intensive summer course on migration and refugee issues in Greece.
FXB Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Overturning Roe v. Wade
June 24, 2022 — The U.S. Supreme Court officially reversed Roe v. Wade today, declaring that the constitutional right to abortion upheld for nearly a half century, no longer exists.
The decision means that abortion rights – namely access to safe…
Project N95, Harvard FXB Center Launch Masks for Communities to Distribute 1m Units of Respiratory Protection
Working with 23 community groups in 10 states Project N95 and Harvard FXB Center will distribute 1m masks to communities in need. Watch our video here
National not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) group Project N95, has partnered with the FXB Center for…
FXB Director of Research Prof. Jacqueline Bhabha Provides Insight on Conflict in Ukraine
“In the past two weeks, 2 million Ukrainian citizens and residents have fled the relentless military violence unleashed on their country by Russian President Putin. Images of innocent civilians forced to flee life-threatening attacks on their homes…
Remembering Dr. Paul Farmer
Photo of Dr. Paul Farmer courtesy of Partners in Health
The FXB Center is deeply saddened by the untimely death of Dr. Paul Farmer, a visionary global health leader, anthropologist, physician, and Harvard professor. Paul was a close colleague and dear…
FXB Instructor Calls for Protections for Massachusetts’ Immigrant Community
FXB Health and Human Rights Research Fellow Dr. Margaret Sullivan recently submitted written testimony in support of Massachusetts Legislature bills S.1579 and H.2418. The bills are known as the Safe Communities Act and aim protect basic rights and…
FXB Center Issues Statement on Public Health Harms of Prison and Jail Investment
Today, the FXB Center issued a statement on the public health harms of prison and the carceral system. The statement examines the impact of incarceration on individuals and communities, and offers innovative solutions to break long-term cycles of family…
FXB Center, University of Athens Launch Joint Program on Migration
The FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University, in collaboration with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, and with the support of the Harvard Center for Hellenic Studies in Greece and the United States, is…
FXB Health and Human Rights Fellow Submits Testimony in Support of Rent Control
Today, FXB Health and Human Rights Fellow Dr. Jourdyn Lawrence submitted written testimony in support of Massachusetts Legislature bills H.1378/S.886 (An Act Enabling Local Options for Tenant Protections) and H.1440/S.889 (An Act Relative to the…
FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University Joins Project N95 and Boston University To Distribute 20,000 Masks to Massachusetts Community Groups Amid Surging COVID-19 Cases
In response to surging COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts, the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights joined national non-profit Project N95 and the Boston University School of Public Health to distribute 20,000 protective masks to high-need areas in the…
New Article Highlights Global Injustices Against Migrant Children
In a new article published in partnership with the University of Oxford, the FXB Center’s Director of Research Prof. Jaqueline Bhabha and FXB Health and Human Rights Fellow Dr. Vasileia Digidiki draw attention to global injustices against the best…
New Study Examines Variation in COVID-19 Mortality in the US by Race and Ethnicity and Educational Attainment
In a recently released study in JAMA Network Open, Dr. Mary T. Bassett and Dr. Justin Feldman examine “Variation in COVID-19 Mortality in the US by Race and Ethnicity and Educational Attainment.”
In the cross-sectional study of 219.1…
FXB Health and Human Rights Fellow Joins Coalition to End Racism in Clinical Algorithms
Dr. Marie Plaisime is among 12 members of the newly-formed Coalition to End Racism in Clinical Algorithms. Read the original press release from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene:
The Health Department today announced the…
FXB Center Doctoral Student Cohort Member Submits Testimony in Support of Ending Solitary Confinement
Today, FXB Center for Health and Human Rights doctoral cohort member Jasmine D. Graves submitted written testimony in support of Massachusetts Legislature bills S.1578 and H.2504, which would provide criminal justice reform protections to all prisoners…
FXB Center Joins Public Health & Human Rights for Mass and Cass Coalition; Calls on Boston Mayor Elect to Implement Health-Centered Approach
Today, as part of the new Public Health & Human Rights for Mass and Cass Coalition, the FXB Center called on Boston Mayor-Elect Michelle Wu to implement a health-centered approach to the intersecting crises at Melnea Cass Boulevard and Massachusetts…
FXB Center Health and Human Rights Fellow Submits Testimony to Boston City Council
Today, FXB Health and Human Rights Fellow Dr. Jourdyn Lawrence submitted written testimony to the Boston City Council Committee on Civil Rights in support of Docket #0734: Order for a Hearing Regarding Reparations and Their Impact on the Civil Rights of…
FXB Center Health and Human Rights Fellow Testifies Before Massachusetts Racial Inequities in Maternal Health Commission
Today, FXB Health and Human Rights Fellow Dr. Brittney Butler testified before the Massachusetts Legislature’s Racial Inequities in Maternal Health Commission. The hearing was a listening session on maternal health efforts and experiences in the…
FXB Center Director to Serve As New York State Health Commissioner; Dr. Natalia Linos Named Acting Director
Today, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul appointed FXB Center for Health and Human Rights Director Dr. Mary T. Bassett as Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health.
Dr. Bassett joined the FXB Center in 2018, following four years of…
FXB Center Announces New Initiative For Racial Justice
The FXB Center today announced a new fellowship program for racial justice in partnership with the JPB Foundation, featuring five new fellows with diverse backgrounds in health and human rights. The announcement came during the virtual symposium…
FXB Center Launches New Video Series Featuring Leading Health and Human Rights Experts
A new online video series from the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University highlights eight leading experts whose work and research focuses on a multitude of structural and societal factors that affect health outcomes. “The…
FXB Center Welcomes New Fellows and Staff, Announces Promotions
The FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard is pleased to announce several new hires and promotions. Learn more about our new fellows and staff members:
Dr. Brittney N. Butler (she/her) is a social epidemiologist whose primary research…
Commentary: It’s Time For Boston To Pay Reparations
In recognition of Juneteenth, FXB Center Research Associate Matlin Gilman and FXB Center Director Dr. Mary T. Bassett co-authored an opinion piece highlighting the need for the City of Boston to provide reparations to Black Boston residents.
In a…
Harvard Chan Perspectives: Why a national ban on menthol cigarettes is the right choice
Following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent announcement that it will take steps to ban menthol cigarettes, FXB Center Director Dr. Mary T. Bassett was interviewed for a Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health article.
In…
Statement from FXB Center Director Dr. Mary T. Bassett About Derek Chauvin Verdict
[The following solely represents Dr. Bassett’s views and does not necessarily represent the views of the institution.]
BOSTON, MA – In response to former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin being found guilty of murdering George Floyd, FXB…
Press Release: New Report Examines Challenges of Migrants In West And Central Africa; Identifies Solutions To Protect Migrants
BOSTON, MA – The François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University (FXB Center) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) today released “See Migration Like Water: An Analysis of IOM Flow Monitoring Survey Data…
FXB Center Statement on International Roma Day U.S. House and Senate Resolutions
BOSTON, MA – On March 18, 2021, resolutions to celebrate the heritage of Romani Americans were introduced in the House and Senate.
The Roma Program at the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights welcomes this initiative, which represents a…
ACLU: 50 Years Into the War on Drugs, Biden-Harris Can Fix the Harm It Created
Note: This blog first appeared on the ACLU website on January 6, 2021. The blog mentions From the War on Drugs to Harm Reduction: Imagining A Just Overdose Crisis Response, a new report from the FXB Center, Open Society Foundations and Doris Duke…
Press Release: National Public Health Experts Urge Biden-Harris Transition Team to End War on Drugs and Lead Coordinated Public Health Response to the Opioid Overdose Crisis
The François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University today urged the Biden-Harris transition team to implement drug policy reforms to curb overdose deaths and address long-standing harms stemming from the…
